Bateville Products Workers Claim Victory After 166 Day Strike

The National Labor Relations Board has ordered a Union election.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - Workers at Batesville Products have stood on strike for over half a year. 

After 166 days, Teamsters Local 135 received word that National Labor Relations Board Region 9 ruled in the Union’s favor in the contested election petition involving Batesville Products, Inc.

These workers will now get the opportunity they have fought for: a vote to form their union.

The strike protested the company's alleged unfair labor practices while demanding recognition of their union. 

Teamsters Local 135 filed a petition with the NLRB in June, seeking to represent all full-time and regular part-time production employees, which includes machinists, polishers, and shipping and receiving, employed in Lawrenceburg. There are approximately 18 employees in the petitioned-for-unit. 

The employer, Batesville Products, argued that the petitioned-for-unit is inappropriate because the production employees at the foundry in Aurora must be included.

A hearing officer found that the petitioned-for-unit was appropriate, directing an election for the unit. 

The National Labor Relations Board will conduct a secret ballot election among the employees in the unit. Employees will vote whether or not they wish to be represented for purposes of collective bargaining by Teamsters Local 135. 

"We expect an election date and voting location soon. Next comes voting YES for Teamsters Local 135—and then fighting for a first contract that addresses these workers’ serious issues and concerns and delivers the respect they deserve," reads a statement from Teamsters Local 135. 

Read the full NLRB decision at https://www.nlrb.gov/case/09-RC-388637